Recent events
HPBCCC High-Performance Building Week
June 13-19, 2010
High-Performance Building Week, designated by the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC), highlights the importance of high-performance buildings to federal, state, and local policymakers, building industry and communities. HPBCC co-chairs Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) will introduce a resolution in the House of Representatives supporting the goals and ideals of the week. Additional activities in Washington, DC include site visits, congressional briefings, and a reception honoring advancements toward widespread achievement of high-performance buildings.
On June 15, NFPA, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Institute of Architects (AIA), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), and other organizations are sponsoring a Congressional briefing titled “Getting the Whole Picture of High Performance Buildings.” The briefing will provide an overview of what it means to be a high performance building, the education and training needed for continued high performance and the technology necessary to support these buildings.
Speakers include:
- Henry Green, President, National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS)
- Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO)
- Gordon V.R. Holness, President, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
- Chris Hodges, International Facility Management Association (IFMA)
- Evan Gaddis, CEO, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
For more information about HPBCCC and full schedule of events for High-Performance Building Week:
North American Occupational Safety and Health Week
May 2-8, 2010
This 2010 NAOSH Week theme is safe workplaces in an effort to raise awareness for workplace health and safety for businesses, employees and communities. Federal agencies, state and local government, and organizations across the country involved in health and safety issues come together to support NAOSH Week and educate the public and local communities about ways to prevent injury and illness in the workplace.
The NAOSH Week kickoff event at the Department of Labor will feature speakers from DOL and the event will recognize the winners of the American Society of Safety Engineers Kids’ “Safety on the Job” international poster contest. Other NAOSH Week events include a Capitol Hill reception and many local events.
NFPA Wins Award at CFSI Annual Dinner
April 28-29, 2010
NFPA’s Sharon Gamache, Senior Program Manager for High-Risk Outreach Programs, was honored at the recent Congressional Fire Service Institute’s Annual Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 29, 2010 with the Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education, awarded by the Home Safety Council. Sharon was recognized for her work on home injury prevention for children and older adults programs including the Learn Not to Burn Preschool Program and the Remembering When Falls and Fire Prevention Program for Older Adults.
NFPA staff also provided presentations on several panels at the Congressional Fire Service Institute’s Seminars on April 28 - 29. The seminars covered a range of topics important to the fire and emergency services community. Gary Keith, Vice President, Building Codes and Standards, discussed efforts to prevent, mitigate, and suppress fires that threaten large WUI areas; Nancy McNabb, Director, Government Affairs, discussed agency outreach and NFPA advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill highlighting major legislative initiatives; Casey Grant, Program Director, Research Foundation, discussed the challenges of emergency communication systems for first responders in disasters; Maria Figueroa, Regional Manager, Fire Prevention, discussed the NFPA Home Fire Sprinkler Initiative and states effort to pass fire sprinkler legislation; and Lorraine Carli, Vice President, Communications, and Gary Keith discussed NFPA advocacy initiatives, fire prevention, public education strategies, and code development.
For more information: